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mike wrote: ↑Sat Jul 04, 2026 1:45 pm

Pelerin wrote: ↑Sat Jul 04, 2026 12:57 pm This must be on Facebook (which I don't use anymore)?

I've been keeping up with stories like these across different contexts for several years since the topic of abuse crossed my own path. Over the years I've come to see, through my observations and experience, that anyone describing themselves publicly as an "abuse victim advocate" or some such is a red flag.

Your full post here should be required reading. Very well thought out.

I know of one person with a YouTube channel who portrays herself as an abuse victim advocate, who has conservative Anabaptist background and one of whose goals is to root out and expose the cult-like and abusive aspects of the culture. So a lot of the airtime is spent criticizing conservative Mennonites. There are also regular efforts to grow the audience and expand the reach of the channel, and apparently there is a business aspect to this. But the odd thing that my wife learned about this purported victim of Mennonite culture is that she regularly gets a conservative Mennonite person to babysit her kids so she can work on her YouTube show. It's puzzling.

Judas Maccabeus wrote: ↑Sat Jul 04, 2026 4:32 pm “”She recently posted a pic of herself painting a watercolor and then implied that artistic expression was something she didn't have the freedom to do when she was a Mennonite. ””

Say what????

This shoots credibility in the foot,

PeterG wrote: ↑Sat Jul 04, 2026 6:09 pm

Judas Maccabeus wrote: ↑Sat Jul 04, 2026 4:32 pm “”She recently posted a pic of herself painting a watercolor and then implied that artistic expression was something she didn't have the freedom to do when she was a Mennonite. ””

Say what????

This shoots credibility in the foot,

I do not know who this person is or what church she was part of, but there certainly are Mennonite churches in which artistic expression is highly restricted.

Ernie wrote: ↑Sun Jul 05, 2026 5:05 pm

PeterG wrote: ↑Sat Jul 04, 2026 6:09 pm

Judas Maccabeus wrote: ↑Sat Jul 04, 2026 4:32 pm “”She recently posted a pic of herself painting a watercolor and then implied that artistic expression was something she didn't have the freedom to do when she was a Mennonite. ””

Say what????

This shoots credibility in the foot,

I do not know who this person is or what church she was part of, but there certainly are Mennonite churches in which artistic expression is highly restricted.

I'd be interested in learning about what groups restrict watercolor painting.

PeterG wrote: ↑Sun Jul 05, 2026 10:59 pm

Ernie wrote: ↑Sun Jul 05, 2026 5:05 pm

PeterG wrote: ↑Sat Jul 04, 2026 6:09 pm

I do not know who this person is or what church she was part of, but there certainly are Mennonite churches in which artistic expression is highly restricted.

I'd be interested in learning about what groups restrict watercolor painting.

I am not aware of any groups with formal restrictions on watercolor painting. However, I think you would agree that many conservative Mennonites are wary of the arts (and they are not entirely mistaken in this). Conversations here on Mennonet have touched on this. I think it's fair to say that in more conservative groups especially the study and practice of art beyond certain bounds would be widely considered to foster pride, represent poor stewardship of time and money, and expose one to inappropriate material. It is unlikely that the person in question was prevented from any and all artistic expression, but I do not find it hard to believe that she did not feel free to create art to the degree that she wanted to.

PeterG wrote: ↑Sun Jul 05, 2026 10:59 pm

Ernie wrote: ↑Sun Jul 05, 2026 5:05 pm

PeterG wrote: ↑Sat Jul 04, 2026 6:09 pm I do not know who this person is or what church she was part of, but there certainly are Mennonite churches in which artistic expression is highly restricted.

I'd be interested in learning about what groups restrict watercolor painting.

I am not aware of any groups with formal restrictions on watercolor painting. However, I think you would agree that many conservative Mennonites are wary of the arts (and they are not entirely mistaken in this). Conversations here on Mennonet have touched on this. I think it's fair to say that in more conservative groups especially the study and practice of art beyond certain bounds would be widely considered to foster pride, represent poor stewardship of time and money, and expose one to inappropriate material. It is unlikely that the person in question was prevented from any and all artistic expression, but I do not find it hard to believe that she did not feel free to create art to the degree that she wanted to.

Ernie wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2026 9:40 am I do not disagree with any of what you say. I am sad whenever artistic expression is highly restricted.

If I understood correctly, the claimant referenced earlier was indicating that she was not allowed to do watercolor painting and I was curious if there are any groups that would actually discourage this. In my experience, watercolor painting was the kind of art that was encouraged and even taught.

Ernie wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2026 9:40 am

PeterG wrote: ↑Sun Jul 05, 2026 10:59 pm

Ernie wrote: ↑Sun Jul 05, 2026 5:05 pm
I'd be interested in learning about what groups restrict watercolor painting.

I am not aware of any groups with formal restrictions on watercolor painting. However, I think you would agree that many conservative Mennonites are wary of the arts (and they are not entirely mistaken in this). Conversations here on Mennonet have touched on this. I think it's fair to say that in more conservative groups especially the study and practice of art beyond certain bounds would be widely considered to foster pride, represent poor stewardship of time and money, and expose one to inappropriate material. It is unlikely that the person in question was prevented from any and all artistic expression, but I do not find it hard to believe that she did not feel free to create art to the degree that she wanted to.

I do not disagree with any of what you say. I am sad whenever artistic expression is highly restricted.

If I understood correctly, the claimant referenced earlier was indicating that she was not allowed to do watercolor painting and I was curious if there are any groups that would actually discourage this. In my experience, watercolor painting was the kind of art that was encouraged and even taught.

Neto wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2026 11:49 am

Ernie wrote: ↑Mon Jul 06, 2026 9:40 am

PeterG wrote: ↑Sun Jul 05, 2026 10:59 pm
I am not aware of any groups with formal restrictions on watercolor painting. However, I think you would agree that many conservative Mennonites are wary of the arts (and they are not entirely mistaken in this). Conversations here on Mennonet have touched on this. I think it's fair to say that in more conservative groups especially the study and practice of art beyond certain bounds would be widely considered to foster pride, represent poor stewardship of time and money, and expose one to inappropriate material. It is unlikely that the person in question was prevented from any and all artistic expression, but I do not find it hard to believe that she did not feel free to create art to the degree that she wanted to.

I do not disagree with any of what you say. I am sad whenever artistic expression is highly restricted.

If I understood correctly, the claimant referenced earlier was indicating that she was not allowed to do watercolor painting and I was curious if there are any groups that would actually discourage this. In my experience, watercolor painting was the kind of art that was encouraged and even taught.

How would you all view 'play-acting' as compared to painting as an art form? (The Beachy A-M congregation my wife grew up in after her parents left the Old Order Amish in 1964 did not approve of even skits, where any person was portraying someone that they weren't. Maybe someone read about where the English word 'hypocrite' comes from....)